The drape length question is one that lingers in the minds of all persons who are enthusiastic of taste. It is not uncommon for interior designers and drape dealers to be as the question, what length should the full-length drapes in my house openings be? This is because everyone seeks to know whether their drapes should break at the floor, puddle or hover slightly above the ground. If you are harboring such questions, then read on.
During cold weather, the choice of drapes is always to enhance warmth rather than privacy and light control. This does not however mean that you should just hang an animal pelt at the entrance of a cave. You also need to be stylistic.
In design, rarely will you get a wrong or a correct answer. It is either something that one likes or they don’t. However, there are some guiding principles that can be employed to help one think about their choices thus ending up with a curtain length that’s right for them.
Below are industry standards or rather the acceptable drapery length practices
As mentioned above, the drapery length normally is predicted on what the client or rather homeowner wants. However, in the absence of such requests and interests, for almost all the situations, there is a rule of the thumb in use. Follow the eleven tips below and you will hardly go wrong.
1. Full length panels:
In today’s market, the most typical length in use is inch off the surface of your floor. For a ceiling to the ground drape, you need to reduce the length by half an inch on top and half on the bottom to reduce the risks of rubbing on the two surfaces thus causing premature wear and tear.
2. Drapes that are hung just above the windows:
Need to go at least four inches above thus ensuring that the top hem isn’t visible when the sun illuminates through.
3. On the event that decorating rods are employed:
The drapes may extend between four to twelve inches above your windows. When you place the rods on ceiling heights, they will get lost.
4. Appropriate proportions:
As well as weather the home owner uses cornice or variance will also determine the length of your drapes. This is more so when the ceiling in your home is higher than the typical eight feet ceilings.
5. Brushing:
This is a design for those persons who prefer crisp simplicity. Rooms that such simplicity is also preferred do well with such fabric. Obviously, such brushing drapes can only go well in a gracious room that has no fuss. It is just one of the best appearances as it complements traditional decor thus should be used whenever possible. The downside of this type of drape is the fact that its length isn’t that easy to master. Things are complicated the most by any inconsistencies in the ceiling and floor, which are more common than many think. Any inconsistencies are revealed by such drapes. The use of quality drapery hardware can allow for some slight adjustments during installation thus camouflaging such irregularities.
6. Hovering:
For that casual and practical look, a finger width space separating the drapes lower hem and the ground is left. This is absolutely the best length for any high traffic room such as the family room as you will end up with a fabric whose hem will stay clean for long as it doesn’t gather dust. All in all, for a room where dust is regularly gathered, prefer the hovering length.
7. Breaking:
In cases where he lower hem stays put after the arraignment, a one inch break is commonly employed in stationery panels. It is uncommon for people to request for breaks on functional drapes as no one wants fabric that sweeps the floor on any single opening/closing.
8. For those drapes which are drawn in tiebacks:
breaks may be calculated since this allows for an allowance of draping length just below the position of the tieback.
9. Puddling:
Often, a fifteen inch extra arrangement in a natural puddle on to the surface of a floor resonates well with opulence, romance or a historical statement. For opulence, the rule of the thumb is that the length should be pushed overboard. This ensures that that historical sense is reinforced in your traditional home. In case you are opting for a silk fabric, a couple of inches left would improve the elegance if the space is replaced with a hardware that comes with a dressy look.
10. For the stationary drapes, puddling is ideal:
This is the opposite when it comes to functional drapes due to the fact that the drapes will mop the floor anytime they are closed and/or opened. Always ensure that the fabric’s motif and style match.
11. Short Drapes:
In general, you can choose to have drapes that just reach the window still or rather four inches below the window, just at the bottom of the window molding. The rule of the thumb is that you ensure the four inch hem is not visible when the sun illuminates the room.
12. In the event that there are a number of windows in your room with varying lengths:
it would be ideal for you to choose a uniform length of drapes for consistency as far as the visual balance in one’s room is concerned.
13. One common question that cannot go unanswered:
as far as shorter windows are concerned is whether the drapes need be short or long. Though there are many takes on this but my opinion is that if one can afford the drapes, let them make them long. Just like furniture, when drapes are wider, higher and longer, a Midas touch is given to a room as far as visual effects together with loveliness and character to one’s decor are concerned.
Above are just a few vital points to put in to consideration when you are making your choice on drapes. Regardless of the beauty of the fabric, the treatment of a window ends up looking spoilt and odd if the width and length of the fabric are not carefully planned for. If you can afford to hire an interior designer, sit down with them and share notes.